Today is a California state holiday (a three day weekend of course) to recognize a daring event that changed the course of history. Is history nothing more than a relic? Or does history have only a whiff of importance to our confident, arrogant or stressed out people alive today? No. History is worth the effort to preserve and recall events and life from yesteryear.

Yesterday, the Pliocene Ridge communities from Highway 49 to the end of the pavement in Alleghany were invited to an underground tour of the Sixteen to One and hold a Pot Luck dinner in the old theater/gym in Alleghany. The room looked festive and special. Decorations were designed and installed by Rose Cain, great performance. Most unusual wast the gold confetti number 100 that was spread over black table cloths.

The surprise was a raffle for a beautiful quartz and gold specimen from the mine. Everyone in attendance was qualified to win. The ages ranged from 1 year old to 73. The wining number belonged to 9-year-old Kyle, visiting with his grandparents. By request the table decorations of gold and white helium filled balloons were giving to the lucky numbers drawn. We laughed, ate and shared stories while honoring the mine, our communities, Tom Bradbury, founder of the Sixteen to One vein in 1896, and the company celebrating its 100-year anniversary.

The local celebration may be the beginning of events to take place for one year.

I recently read the following remarks about how the big gold companies were producing less gold over the past decade. “Here are some of the main takeover of major gold mines since 1999: Great Central Mining, Echo Bay (Canada), Normandy (Australia), Homestake (oldest gold mine in the United States which had even survived the crisis 1929), Placer Dome (Canada, founded in the early 19th century), Ashanti (South Africa, producing gold since 1897), Glamis Gold (Canada), Sino Gold (Australia), Lihir gold (Australia).”

I went to Homestake’s last meeting where a majority of shareholders voted to sell out to Barrack. I had a proxy in hand and voted against the motion. At that time Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc was the second oldest gold mine operating in the United States. At that meeting it became the oldest. I will need some help to weather the current storms in force to sink the oldest gold mine operating in the United States. I want and encourage your support for this old ship will not go down with ease.

By
Michael Miller

09/05/2011 3:58PM

Hello from Alleghany on today’s recognition of Labor Day. Sacramento Bee newspaper reports on the value of labor, mentioning mostly farm workers and government employees. I searched for any recognition of miners, loggers, fishermen and other blue collar “bottom line producers”. Alas, none appeared worthy of print.

Following is a letter sent about a year ago to a Federal administrative law judge regarding a topic that few are aware: abuse of laws of interstate commerce. For the important and powerful federal Department of Labor to assert that tiny-shackled Sixteen to One mine affects interstate commerce is impossible to document. So, I only asked her for an administrative hearing to present evidence and confront the accusatory. DENIED.

Our miners, management and shareholders strongly object to the approach to miners’ safety exhibited by the U.S. Department of Labor and the disdain of Legal Assistant Stephanie Stacey and Trial Attorney Ian H. Eliasoph shows towards truth, justice and following the intent of “An Act”, which established the federal participation in protection of miners’ safety and health through federal legislation.

Though FMSHRC Rules 2700.10(d) and 2700.8 deals with general provisions of time and motions, they do not apply to the request of Petitioner. Petitioner, while legislated to act on behalf of the public’s interest, is evading justice in its treatment of these citations. His actions in this case benefit none.

The procedural rules cited above are “intended to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination of proceedings”. Speed has not been the petitioner’s concern either, as evidenced in its approach to the citations under review. The concept of inexpensive determination applies to both parties. While our Company celebrates its 100-year anniversary in 2011, it remains a very small operation that continues to be bombarded with regulatory agencies from both the federal government and Californian agencies. Our operational management is one person, who also manages the underground operation. Time delays are the result of a small staff and not disdain for the rules of MSHA or the exercise of Administrative law.

Rule 2700.10 (c) requires the moving party to confer or make a reasonable effort to confer with the other party. Petitioner failed its duty in this regard. Respondent replied to the large list of legal authorities alleged to support Petitioner’s interpretation of interstate commerce. Respondent reviewed each reference and replied that the facts of our situation do not resemble those cited in the references. There are significant issues of fact in this case to be resolved.

Interestingly, the trial attorney has misled the court, which in California is an offense. Mr. Eliasoph writes, “Pursuant to FMSHRC Rules 2700.10(d) and 2700.8, a party responding to a motion must submit its opposition within eight days of service…”
The reference cited says, “a statement in opposition to a written motion may be filed by any party within 8 days after service upon the party”. There is no MUST in Rule 2700.10(d). I request that you sanctioned his behavior, as it is an insult to your honor, your position as well as respondent.

The attorney wishes to side step the administrative process and avoid adjudicating the facts of the status of Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc at the time of the inspection, which lead to the citations in dispute on the applicability of legal authority he supplied. He completely ignores the reality of the operation in Alleghany and gives the broad-brush arguments for proving that our tiny operation affected interstate commerce in our great republic. He is mistaken. He fully understands the scope of our maintenance program both via written and vocal communications. He disregards the evidence yet continues to beat his drum of justice. He is just plain wrong.

May I add that the specific events here in Alleghany at the mine will not setback the federal position of interstate commerce. It will help it. The great value of federal involvement in helping operators and miners carry forth safety in America’s mines will not be threatened. The contrary may actually be gained if you do not hear the evidence in this case and make a judgment about the situation in favor of Petitioner. There is no need for federal tax revenues to be spent where the benefit is not commensurate with the cost. Small-scale mining has mostly disappeared in our country due to excessive interference. America is the loser if this continues to be the methods of MSHA health and safety enforcement.

I have spent thirty-five years in the mining industry in California. I actually started prior to the formation of MSHA. My history shows strong support for bringing another set of eyes (MSHA inspectors) into a mining operation for the purposes of health and safety; however at times agencies perform beyond their purpose and sometimes impede miners’ safety.. You have before you one of these instances.

I request that you reprimand Petitioner, who really should know better what the purposes of MSHA are, set a hearing or dismiss the citations outright. I do not know if you have our response to the references the Petitioner sent to us to document its position. I do not know if it is appropriate for me to send them to you. If you wish to present a demand to me to provide you something, please tell me. I have documented phone calls and written communication with Petitioner to no avail. He has not addressed my objections. They remain unchallenged.

This correspondence is a response to a letter dated September 7, 2010 to you. We received the letter on September 15, 2010. I am responding the same day. A copy of this letter will be mailed to Petitioners, listed below.
Sincerely yours,
Michael M. Miller, president
Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc.
CC : Lawrence Brewster, Regional Solicitor
Susan Gillet Kumli, Counsel for Safety and Health
Ian H. Eliasoph, Trial Attorney
Mathew Flairty, Student Intern

The other motive the Water Qual.
staff may have is since Jerry has
tinkered with their budget they
must resort to their own resources
to cover their money shortages
such as: enhanced and frequent permit fees,fines and such like.
You pay the demands but they are
sure to return for more.

By
martin newkom

08/14/2011 7:28PM

Looks like a reasonable request if
the State will respond properly.
They don't seem to have much in
the way of manners or gentlemanly
traits. Of course they don't
learn that in law school now do
they? Many of them do not learn
to be attys. moreover they just
learn to to pass the bar exam.

People of the State of California, Ex Rel. CRWQCB
Central Valley Region V. Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc.

Dear Pamela,

Deputy Attorney General prosecuting Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc stated that Plaintiff, People of the State of California, was willing to release me personally as a defendant in the water agency lawsuit. The condition was that I sign a release of liability thereby excusing the Plaintiff from any malfeasants or wrongdoing it alleged in the multiple causes of actions against me. I refused the offer and remained a co-defendant with Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc.

Months later the Deputy Attorney General filed a motion to dismiss in Superior Court. I objected to the motion. The presiding judge said that my remedy for closure would be filing a lawsuit to extinguish the threat posed by the allegations and repair the personal and business damages caused by the lawsuit. However, I believe the sensible actions and best management practice are for both parties to settle the issues. This is truly in the best interest of the People of California as well as mine.

I am prepared to sign a waver, as an individual and as President of defendant Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc., which releases the named Plaintiff and potential associates of said Plaintiff from damages. In return, a dismissal of the lawsuit and issuance of a water-monitoring program (should it be determined that one is required) will be filed in Superior Court.

Please instruct the appropriate staff member(s) to meet with me and work diligently to perfect a lawful and honorable solution to the issues as hand. Last month five staff came to the property in Alleghany to take a water sample. Four members of the staff came two days later to take additional water samples. You should have the results of their visit, which will assist us in determining what, if any, ongoing water monitoring meets the “Best Management Practice” standards. Our geologist was present and responded to observations and comments when appropriate. You are most welcomed to visit this historical California gold mine and the operator celebrating 100 years in business as a California Corporation this October. It will be helpful in guiding the CRWQCB towards a decision.
Sincerely yours,

Michael Meister Miller
CC: Assemblyman Dan Logue

By
martin newkom

06/23/2011 9:13AM

Hurrah!! Looks like Michael has
actually found an advocate in the
person of his old friend, Bruce.
Maybe the mine can actually move
"Forward" with his (Bruce's) help.

By
Michael Miller

06/22/2011 1:45PM

“ Efficiencies and innovation in regulation will allow businesses to pay higher wages, while still remaining competitive. Growing middle-income jobs will reduce demand for public services and increase tax revenue.” California Forward. June 2011

Retired Director, Charles I. Brown, recently noted a story from another gold seeker, Mel Fisher. Fisher spent years searching for the sunken treasure on the Atocha. Most days were failures, but each morning as the crew set forth, the discussion was…this will be the day!. Yesterday, company geologist Ray Wittkopp and I were engaged in more than just a geological discussion about the Sixteen to One. One comment dealt with attitude: the gold miner must view each day positively or if in a negative mood, just stay in bed!

What we have on our plate right now is a large unmined section of the Sixteen to One in line with a proven ore shoot. If we drill and break enough quartz, we will find gold. It’s there, in the next round. But.gold or mining is not why I write to you.

My purpose in writing today is to give you something to discover, the California Forward advocacy association. I learned of its existence Monday from a life long friend, Bruce MacPherson, who is one of its leaders. Last week I wrote Bruce seeking advice to settle the California water agency’s dispute with us. Logic, sound reasoning and critical evaluation flew out the windows of the Central Valley Regional water board staff during the 1990’s and into the early years of the twenty-first century. I know why. The beginning of “for profit lawyering” from non-profit corporations found a cash cow, a helpless or pitiful one to boot. Yum, yum, they moved in on the prey. My source comes from members of the agency who felt powerless to defend the legal attack against them.

There is no greater obstacle to the intellectual progress of mankind than man’s unwillingness and inability to seek verification of conclusions through evidence. I sense the pendulum of environmental claims of doom and gloom is changing, swinging in the opposite direction of the 1990’s-early twenty-first century. This is beneficial for the public and in California’s best interest.

To the present: Pessimism, depression, dooms and glooms are expressed throughout America. Okay, we recognize it. How about reversing it? How about solutions and positive stuff to think about and act upon? Below is the mission statement from the californiaforward .org website. Its leaders are proven, like this great gold deposit in Alleghany.

I know Bruce well, since our surfing days as teenagers in Santa Cruz. He served Californians well as an assemblyman, senator and Secretary of State. He is enthused about changing the political and executive field of battle. Let’s make it happen. Learn more about ways or what is needed to fix our problems. One way I see is to hold all three branches of our government from appointed men and women, top elected person and the bottom level employees accountable and responsible for their behavior. But first they need to see their insidious growth of demagoguery.

"California Forward's mission is to work with Californians to help create a "smart" government – one that’s small enough to listen, big enough to tackle real problems, smart enough to spend our money wisely in good times and bad, and honest enough to be held accountable for results.

We’re different from other efforts to reform our state, because we believe in the importance of working together and understand that only robust public discussion and the creation of broad coalitions can move solutions forward.
California’s state and local governments must work better together for everyone. If Californians can come together to restructure the relationships between state and local governments, the experience of other states indicates that in five to seven years, we will begin to see the benefits of better governance and renewed private investment.
Continuous improvement in the performance of education and social programs will allow the state to shift resources from prisons back to universities. Efficiencies and innovation in regulation will allow businesses to pay higher wages, while still remaining competitive. Growing middle-income jobs will reduce demand for public services and increase tax revenue.

Restructuring California’s government can be the beginning of a cycle – improved education, increased employment, decreased poverty, improved health, and less crime – that can lead to the best possible outcome: A government that achieves positive social gains in a financially sustainable way.

California Forward believes we can revive the California Dream and turn our broken government into an efficient, effective body, focused on performance, accountability, and transparency. But we must all get involved."

By
Michael Miller

04/28/2011 11:52AM

To America: Our Proponents and Opponents

This is written for you as well as people unfamiliar with our Company, its history, the FORUM and our wonderful mines; however, you who have taken time to read about them provide the spirit we need for support and sustainability. Patience, please if you have heard it before. This muse about taxes, assets and value is prompted by the satisfaction of paying Sierra County almost $75,000 for delinquent property taxes last Friday.

No, that doesn’t represent one-year taxes, but the amount required to stop the sale of two gold properties in Alleghany. Taxes were five years in arrears. The sale was scheduled for April 30, 2011. Over 2100 people clicked on the sale information on the Internet. Why not have dreams of picking up the Sixteen to One for seventy-five grand? So for any of the 2100, contact me with your wants. The operation would benefit from an influx of capital. Maybe we can work something out that benefits everyone.

TAXES ASSETS VALUE

The value of Original Sixteen to One is most likely in the minds of its owners. But what or how is that value determined requires an historical perspective. Shareholders may use the market capitalization formula: shares outstanding times price. Some use the balance statement: assets minus liabilities equal owners’ equity. Some use the income statement: sales minus expenses equals profit. All have a place and are useful; however none of the above reveals the value of the Sixteen to One mine.

Some shareholders tell me they bought a couple of hundred or thousand shares for the fun of owning a gold mine. Others bought to enjoy or support the historical past of the pioneers and movers of the West. Others bought to increase their assets and make a profit when they sell. It has been called an investment or a gamble.

In 1976, I sought shareholder proxy support to unseat proud but tired (and wealthy) directors. There were about 300 shareholders. Most shareholders I talked with inherited their stock. They said they were told, “Never sell your shares in the Sixteen to One mine.” During the dark times of the depression the mine’s gold made a difference in their family’s life. I understood. They related wonderful stories. Their ancestors were very familiar with our gold mine and its record. They knew an asset to keep. Our assets are greater than a dollar amount on a balance sheet.

Not one method of seeking value works with the Sixteen to One. The decision for investment is difficult. Potential to mine gold at a profit looms large with me as data to study; however, bankers and others put little or no value on potential. . I know from experiences. It is not ‘mainstream’ thinking. Historical data is a primary tool for critical analysis (which is why this information is on our website.) The gold market is a factor but a minor one because there is nothing a small producer can do to affect the spot price. Yet at $1500 an ounce its importance looms larger today than in 1976, when an ounce of gold ranged in price from $104 to $140.10.

So, how have I analyzed and evaluated data to arrive at the conclusion that my ownership in Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc is worthy of my time and my savings as well as coughing up collateral to pay the Sierra County tax bil?

Taxes, assets and value prompted this muse. I took some of my assets to pay the taxes to save the property from auction because of its value. The potential I recognize today, after years of exposure to data, supports a value greater than I can critically imagine. At $1500 an ounce, knowing the geology of the mine, understanding the threatening lawsuit, the on-the-ground physical situation here in Alleghany I can imagine a billion dollar mining opportunity.

Another circumstance reaffirmed itself during the past years. Smart people with limited knowledge about the Sixteen to One will not step up to (a) conduct a due diligence analysis; (b) pragmatically analyze the risk/reward reality of current assets with a comparison to the risk/ reward analysis of the Sixteen to One, including its potential.

Since we are under utilizing our potential due to inadequate working capital and people with disposable or discretionary assets are not in our game, our potential billion-dollar production possibility may never be tested. Fortunately, a surprising number of shareholders believe otherwise. I am grateful, appreciative and will continue to remove the obstructions blocking our mining for gold in California. Thanks. Adios auction.

By
Michael Miller

04/18/2011 1:38PM

Found this old letter to an eastern writer. Never heard back from him. Still, gold is an enigma not adequately reported to the public. Think about how often you read or see an in-depth gold story about its when, where how, why and what. This is not just true today. When time permits, I’ll search the archives to pass on stories told since my interest in 1974.

September 9, 2007
Dear Robert Frank,

By chance I was visiting a friend when your talk at the Hamptons came on the TV. My heart went out to you. I have never witnessed a talk to a group whose personality was such a bore. You did great with the most uninspiring audience I have ever seen in person or on the screen. It was painful to watch. Having said this, something you said made me run to get a pencil and paper to write down your address. You were asked about your next topic. My impression was that you wanted a really great and untapped subject yet discovered.

Well, there is one and it is one that I first took notice of in 1974. I’m still taking notice today and the interest remains strong: GOLD. The Wall Street Journal has never really published GOLD beyond the normal blah, blah, blah. When my Economist arrives, I scan the table of contents to see if there are gold articles with precious few results. There are half a dozen opinions as to why America has so few gold stories. More interesting to me is how inept journalists have been, as John Stuart Mill wrote, in giving readers an original thought about GOLD.

Remember Brea X? The press reported and the market reacted contrary to economic logic. The whole Gold Sector was painted ugly. Spot bullion prices dropped. Brea X, prior to the geologist falling out of a plane over the jungle, was billed as world’s newest and greatest gold find. If suddenly it were revealed that it was a scam and the whole gold field estimated was zero, the spot price should have risen based on world supply/ demand evaluations: an anticipated supply disappeared.

Let me shorten this initial letter. I run America’s oldest gold mining company. It is one of the world’s richest concentrations of gold and has been producing since the 1800’s. Guess what? The mine is in California, the government perceived as the least friendly to natural resource production. Since I cannot move the mine to Mongolia or Peru, I found ways to make a payroll (those great blue collar jobs that helped make the United States the world’s leading economy) while operating in California. I would like to get to know you and visa versa. Gold remains one of a few topics that interests all cultures, all classes of people and plays a most hidden role in international finances. Americans are ready to be exposed to its stories, stories that rival the American cowboy, the accumulation of wealth by a few, an adventure available to every US citizen and mysteries well concealed from public scrutiny.

I invite you into the world of GOLD. A place to begin to determine its worth is a web site we started years before most others. Our cite is designed to educate. My goal is to address ignorance. My vision became public on the FORUM under the topic “No Better Deal”. I have never found a more honest eclectic gathering of gold information anywhere. Duties limit my time to explore for information. That seems to be your forte. I would really appreciate an acknowledgement to this invitation to learn about stuff that rocks the world. Such as: What the new Dubai Gold Exchange brings to the
Gold industries? There are so many unexplored or undeveloped personalities of gold. Please contact me. I respect your journalistic attitude.
Sincerely yours,
Michael M. Miller

By
David I

04/17/2011 5:01AM

I was reading your past posts regarding trying to sell electric power to PG&E. \
We just had an election where the people of California shot down The monopoly by PG&E as the sole power producer. This opens the door for counties and cities to go into business for there communities need to produce power for the area.
Should Sierra county set up a plan to produce power as a cooperative with those land holders that have the hydro electric resource in the county. Then they would set up a competitive resource To PG&E. Even if such discussion of a plan were being considered it would influence PG&E stop such an event from occurring.

By
Michael Miller

04/02/2011 5:07PM

Mr. Tim Beals, Director August 25, 2008
Sierra County Public Works
Downieville, CA

Dear Mr. Beals,
There are times when the phrase, “Time is of the essence” means just that. Time is of the essence and a critical component in cleaning the Alleghany situation. This is how Original Sixteen to One Mine, Inc views the proposed work at its Happy Jack Extension claim.

The longer the alleged toxic condition remains the greater the exposure to the company, its operation and mine. I encourage Sierra County to move with haste to implement remediation work. The Company believes the seriousness of its exposure to liabilities warrants treating the initial phase of the project as an emergency. Any damages occurring to the mine from Sierra County’s will be placed at the County’s doorstep. Therefore, “Time is of the essence” means that time is of the essence to Sierra County as well.

Sierra County may not have the same viewpoint, which is why I now write you. This tiny hard rock underground gold mining operation in Sierra County has witnessed too much questionable interference by State and Federal government agencies and other vial humans. A strong history exists that document people want the mine to close and are willing to go to illegal lengths to achieve this goal. One present huge concern is finding the Sixteen to One mine connected in a newspaper story about this current situation. Even though the Company is faultless, the headlines will read something like this: “Toxic waste discharged from Sixteen to One mine”. The last paragraph in the story will say that the contaminants likely leaked from old Sierra County fuel tanks, but no one will remember this important fact. The damage will be done!

When the Company was ruthlessly and illegally indicted for manslaughter in Sierra County, the LA Times carried a front-page story, which painted an untrue picture of the events. The results of this story were the losses of much-needed working capital that I had secured. It fled. A story alleging that the mine is a toxic discharger will wreck our future and ability to raise much-needed working capital. Please, lets get going and fix this problem and eliminate the possibility immediately.

The other serious concern is equally important but not the least bit speculative. California rules regarding surface construction change on September 15 each year. Phase one must be concluded before that date or significant additional paper work costs and preparations for winter must take place. Since the mine has permits with Water Quality, a knowing violation of these rules will be “willful” and therefore carry potential felony indictments. Been there, done that and don’t want to go there again.

My suggestions to Craig Morgan have consistently been to use all abilities and options to get paperwork done. Set the required Supervisory meeting (if necessary). Craig said this was not the County’s wish. My suggestion was to invoke existing emergency rules so construction could began weeks ago. No support. I have also discussed with Craig the information necessary to secure the proposed insurance. I do not have that information yet. Insurers are not gung ho about mining. Policies and bonds are expensive and difficult to get

I encourage Sierra County to extend its intellect, get this project underway and get at least the first phase done by September 15, 2008. Once underground, everything changes and a whole new set of rules go into affect. I have been assured that Morning Glory Gold Mine will place this project as its highest priority and get the job done in the shortest number of days.

Truly yours,
Michael Miller, president

By
ABrink

03/13/2011 4:25PM

I hadn't read Mike's message about 'Wonders of the Universe' but watched the second tonight, and a minute or two was spent underground at the 16 to 1. It was in the context of discussion of the geology and the meeting of plates.

By
martin newkom

03/07/2011 2:04PM

The recent episodes of "Gold Rush"
in Alaska (TLC) even though it was not a "hard rock" operation
is a perfect example of how not
to run a gold operation, moreover it was a complete "comedy of errors". Mike and his crew really have the know-how. They
altogether could mine circles
around those poor guys in that
show.

By
Michael Miller

03/06/2011 12:00PM

Last summer film producers approached the mine for an upcoming BBC presentation about “Wonders of the Universe” (the title of the proposed television show). Word was just received today that the Wonders of the Universe has its first of four episodes beginning Sunday March 6 2011 or today. The fist episode is titled, Destiny. A review of the show is found at www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zf9dh . The second episode is entitled Stardust where the presenter, a physicist named Brian Cox, explains how the earth’s resources have been recycled through the ages. It is likely the underground working of the Sixteen to One mine will be a part of this episode.

The BBC producers brought two crews to Alleghany to interview us, flash some Sixteen to One high-grade gold and film a glimpse of what the earth looks like a 1000 feet below the surface. Brian was a nice chap and appeared mostly with the crew that filmed the show to be shown in Great Britain. The second crew filmed footage to be edited into episodes for the rest of the world.

I don’t know what to expect once the mighty and powerful editors cut and paste. If anyone can get additional information about channels or times, please let us know.

By
cw3343

02/10/2011 12:39PM

It would appear that PG&E would rather not buy power from you, but instead sell you thier over-priced power, which is probably NOT produced from hydro/solar/wind. Uphill battle, but kudos for at least trying...

By
Michael Miller

02/08/2011 10:19AM

No.

By
Rick

02/08/2011 10:05AM

Mike, did you ever hear back ffrom the Bam administration?

By
Michael Miller

02/07/2011 3:20PM

For several years the company has worked to install a Pelton wheel driven power plant. Ours is a green company before it became so politically fashionable. The dream died and I wrote the local paper with an offer to detail our derailment. No story yet, but below is a taste of correspondence between PG&E and us. We put in a time consuming effort to measure water flow, prepare a building plan and complete the requirements. As the great Mick Jagger sang, ‘It’s all over now.”

December 2010
Mountain Messenger
Don:

We wanted to install a nonpolluting hydro electrical plant (Pelton Wheel driven). Our water rights allow for this and there is a huge drop, therefore good head and power. We computed the water volume for several years and determined that we could produce about $4,000 per month. PG&E is required to buy back power in California. Money was tight and I wrote something on our web site. A stranger sent us $500 to get the paper work done. Unbelievable, huh! A shareholder volunteered to do all the paper work since he has done it in the past and is now producing electricity. All concerns of PG&E were met. Then here comes a demand for more money to study the project more. I wonder where this idea originated? Money is tight right now and I think that PG&E will ask for more. Yes is pisses me off!

The power lines throughout Sierra County were initiated due to the mines need for power. Money, money, money, let’s step down on this last working gold mine in the entire Sierra. What am I still doing here!

People get grants to study the yellow nose cricket or pink-eyed grasshopper. How about generating electricity in an environmentalist’s wet dream…water a reusable resource.

I guess I notified you to gain public support and give PG&E a scare. Power to the press when it has firm benefits. MMM

***********************************************************************************************************
From Mike Miller to PG&E
October 15, 2010

The request for additional fees is odd. PG&E asked for and received $500 to conduct its investigation or study data for our connection. No additional money should be required. I will assume that you will reply and refute this. I hope not. If you do refute our understanding of PG&E as a supporter of encouraging conservation, please provide me with a chain of command up to the board of directors that shows just who passed on this additional charge. It is understood by Original Sixteen to One Mine that it is paid up and does not own PG&E any more money.

Thanks,
Michael Miller, President

From: Chung, William (ET)
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 10:49 AM
Hi Mike,
I do apologize for the inconvenience and I'd be happy to discuss further with you but I believe there has been a slight misunderstanding. The application that was submitted spells out that there is a $500 processing fee. It does not state that this is an all - inclusive study.

If the Interconnection Request is submitted under the Fast Track Process, the non-refundable processing fee is $500.

In addition, per the Fast Track process, PG&E is obligated to conduct a Initial Review which was completed and the results were verbally communicated to you on September 21, 2010. Attached a hard copy version. We stated that this project has failed a few of the screens detailed in the Tariff. Subsequently, I discussed and offered to perform a Supplemental Review and stated that an agreement and invoice will be issued which was done on September 28, 2010. Below is the Tariff language related.

Sent today to MMM
(December 2010)
Mike,

This is a notice that PG&E will withdraw this project. A formal letter will be provided.

Thank you! William (Myoung) Chung

PG&E's Generation Interconnection Services
415-973-1350

By
Michael Miller

01/26/2011 8:55AM

Yesterday I posted a letter to President Obama. A reader complemented it and asked if I sent it. Yes, and I'll print the reply (if any). Letter below.

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama, January 20, 2011

Thank you very much for ordering every federal agency to conduct a systematic review of existing regulations. It is long overdue, like two decades! This topic should transcend all political parties, policies and third party critics. Hang in with this.

Except for the lawyers, accountants, profit or non profit corporations which get revenue from over regulation by broadcasting fear or potential harm from some natural or unnatural act of man, all Americans will benefit from a serious enforcement of your Executive Order of January 18, 2011. Americans intuitively suspect that unwise regulations adversely affect our present and future qualities of life.

I support you and will continue to support your staff in sniffing out and cleansing codes that meet the criteria you spell out in this order. As the president of America’s oldest public gold mining corporation, I have first hand experiences that your staff will find relevant to your goals. Please authorize someone to work with me in bringing them to your administration’s awareness.

Your resolve to probe the federal agencies for abusive or valueless interpretations of legislation gives us hope that the pendulum voicing environmental concerns will move towards a balance that truly protects our health, welfare and security. On behalf of some blue-collar miners in northern California, I remain,

Sincerely yours,

Michael M. Miller,
President

By
Michael Miller

10/22/2010 10:22PM

It's been awhile...

There were two news episodes on the Sacramento KCRA TV about our California gold mine related to and stemming from the rescue of the Chilean gold miners: one on 5pm news and the second on the six o’clock news. For those who saw one or both, you may enjoy a little background story.

The KCRA newsroom got some nice guy in Calaveras County to offer (as a California gold miner, related to or similar to the miners underground in Chili) his experiences and comparisons of risks or dangers as a gold miner. What an insult the segment portrayed to its viewers! It angered me for KCRA to take the low road of professionalism. Come on!! Both presented a news clip featuring a hole in the ground as representing the Sierra Nevada gold belt underground mines. It bothered me all night. I used to dig holes like this in the vacant lot behind my house when I was seven years old.

When I got to the mine office next morning, I sat down to begin an angry letter to the station manager and the President of NBC. Damn it!! The public deserves more thought with responsibility and accountability!! Californians deserve more from newscasters’ discretions or lack of ignorance, especially from the Sacramento media. After all, Sacramento is the capital of the golden state. Truth, like gold rests at the bottom and this news clip was not a truthful presentation.

What the nice guy from Calaveras said was equivalent to, “Yeah, the underground is dangerous. Hah, hah. Each time you go in the mine, you gotta think, ‘This may be my last day alive.’ Every time you go underground, it’s a dangerous risk. You know, this may be my last day alive.” He apparently then climbed down a ladder into the hole and popped some light explosive (poof ). It remains great that a Californian man can climb down into a hole in the dirt for his dream of gold and a mine adventure. Good for him. He is not the issue with the earlier telecast.

It is the newsroom that pissed me off. It’s poor journalism, similar to the old story in the LA Times justifying the CDAA prosecuting the mine (and me) for murdering one of our miners.

I used to think that newspapers were not published as fiction. Opinion if fine, but responsibilities come with opinions. News is valuable, something to ponder and from time to time embrace IT AS YOUR OWN. That gold miner’s tale of risk and danger may be true to him, but it dishonors all the past and all the present underground gold miners in California. It should not lie as the truth. For truth, like gold, lies at the bottom.

The next morning I go sit at my desk, turn on the machines and begin my composition to KCRA and NBC. The phone rings and its Tom DuHain from KCRA TV on the phone and asks if I’m available to talk. Is this irony or what? He does not know my heated thoughts and heated passions about KCRA TV or about the two letters I’ve started to the bosses: about its arrogance or laziness or just inexperience with an untrained news staff. Tom has the deep experiences of history so I jump right to the topic at hand for me. “Did you see that pathetic story your station played in support of the great underground mine rescue?” I did not mince words. He didn’t see it but heard something about it this morning.

Tom covered our million-dollar day (1993), almost 17 years ago but our conversation flowed easily. He asked a lot of questions about the Chilean situation compared to ours in California. I answered. He asked if a crew could come up today for an interview and called me back to say he would be on his way to Alleghany in thirty minutes.

This made me happy because a letter to NBC bitching about crappy newscasts is one thing. BUT, allowing such unscientific, factual circumstances (site specific) damage (through brain washing the public unchallenged) was unacceptable. Now the Sixteen to One will give KCRA TV another look at a California gold mine operation.